Tag Archives: Broadway

“…the title of Tarzan within our catalog and within the Disney franchise will do just fine.” – Thomas Schumacher, head of Disney Theatrical Productions

On July 8, 2007, the Broadway version of the animated feature film Tarzan closed after 35 previews and 486 shows at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Having premiered with mixed reviews, the musical failed to find its footing with audiences. Although the Broadway version ended with a loss, Tarzan managed to find its audience within the Netherlands and Germany.

“Aida is a show that has delighted us and defied all expectations.” – Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions

On May 4, 2004, the Broadway show Aida announced that it would be closing on September 5 of that year. The show, open since March 23, 2000, also announced the return of actor Adam Pascal, who originated the role of Radames, who would stay with the show until its closing. By 2004, Aida was the only show to still be running from the 1999-2000 theatrical season. When the show closed, it ran for 1,852 performances in the Palace Theatre.

On April 16, 2008, Disney Theatrical Productions hosted an evening at the Hudson Theatre honoring the music and legacy of composer Alan Menken. Hosted by Thomas Schumacher, the evening featured Broadway performers Josh Strickland, Ashley Brown, Sierra Boggess, and Sherie Rene Scott; Donny Osmond, who played Gaston for a stint in Beauty and the Beast, also stopped by to liven the evening. Menken, who made his Broadway debut with Little Shop of Horrors with lyricist Howard Ashman, is better known for his work with Disney animated features beginning with The Little Mermaid; several of the animated features have made it to the Broadway stage. The evening focused in his lesser-known work, with the performers paying homage to a Broadway great.

March 9, 1994 – Previews Begin for Beauty and the Beast at the Palace Theatre

“Is this home? Is this where I should learn to be happy?”

On March 9, 1994, the first preview of the new Disney musical Beauty and the Beast took place at the Palace Theatre, moving from its previous location of Houston, Texas. This was Disney’s first foray into the world of Broadway, and cost between 12 and 20 million to produce. The show would run in previews until its official opening date at the Palace Theatre on April 18.

March 3, 2013 – The Broadway Musical Mary Poppins Plays its Final Performance

“…the show’s extraordinary success is due to the 500 plus actors, musicians and stagehands who have brought the show to magical life on Broadway and, most importantly, to the audiences who have fallen in love with Mary, Bert and the Banks family every night.”

On March 3, 2013, the Broadway musical Mary Poppins played its final performance at the New Amsterdam Theatre, after 2,619 performances over six years. The final performance featured Steffanie Leigh as Mary Poppins, Nicolas Dromard as Bert, Karl Kenzler as George Banks, and Megan Osterhaus as Winifred Banks.

January 17, 2007 – Beauty and the Beast Broadway Show Announces Closing

“Beauty and the Beast has meant so much to me, both in remembering the joy of creating the animated film and seeing how audiences have embraced it on Broadway for all of these years.” – Composer Alan Menken

On January 17, 2007, the long-running Disney Broadway musical Beauty and the Beast was announced to be closing come July 29th after 13 years of performances. This closing was to make way for Disney’s next musical venture, The Little Mermaid, which would be premiering at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 3rd. After its closing, Beauty and the Beast ended its run with 46 previews and 5,464 performances.

November 16, 2006 – The Broadway Production of Mary Poppins Premieres at the New Amsterdam Theatre

“I’m so practically perfect in every way.”

On November 16, 2006, the Broadway production of the hit stage musical Mary Poppins premiered at the Disney-owned New Amsterdam Theatre. Based on the hit Disney film of the same name and the books by P. L. Travers, the show was a joint production by Disney and Cameron Macintosh, and opened on the London stage on September 15, 2004. The Broadway production featured Ashley Brown as Mary, and Gavin Lee as Bert, reprising his role from the London production. The show would go on to be nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for Gavin Lee; it would go on to win the Tony for Best Scenic Design. The musical had its last performance on March 3, 2013, after running for six years and 2,619 performances.